Blue Bomber Server Build

[toledo_speedo]

With the Green Monster and Big Red out of the way I can now focus on my office server, formerly the blue flamer. I was going to go with a dual quad core set up but since I lucked out on a $300 Alienware PC on eBay for parts that turned out to be nothing more than a bad power switch I am changing things up. I gutted the Alienware into the Big Red PC for my wife and I am just going to put her components into my server for now. Here is what I have:

http://csxstore.coolermaster-usa.com/product_info.php?products_id=6

2 Intel Xeon 5050 3.0GHz 2 x 2MB L2 Cache LGA 771 Dual-Core
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117074

2 ASUS V72 92mm Sleeve CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835101026

SkullTrail SkullTrail SkullTrail!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121330

XFX 8800GTS 320MB EXTREME EDITION
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150172

COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171017

I am going to put Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit on my Western Digital RAPTOR WD360 and RAID it too my old 150 GIG HDD running XP Pro 32 bit. My reasoning is that using Vista Ultimate will allow me to boot from either drive; so if I run into any glitches with a 64 bit system on my network I can still get work done while I troubleshoot.

Was it stupid to build a 2x dual core setup rather then a single quad core?

 

[toledo_speedo]

OK, Here is my first question; one of my processors reads:

3.0 GHz, 667MHz FSB, 2x2 MB L2 Cache, ACTIVE OR 1U PASSIVE

The other reads:

3.0 GHz, 667MHz FSB, 2x2 MB L2 Cache, 2U PASSIVE

So I need to order an active fan and heatsink combo for the 2U unit because the passive heatsink alone will probably not be enough for my application?

 

[Proximon]

Got me, but here's a bump for ya.

 

[toledo_speedo]

What about a XFX GeFORCE 8800GTS 320MB EXTREME EDITION for a graphics card? I am not going to do any high end gaming but I can get one for about $100 and I think it should be more than enough.

 

[Proximon]

For 100 bucks you can get a new 9600GT with 512MB, and if you are lucky you can find a 8800GT or 9800GT for that price.

 

[toledo_speedo]

This build has me concerned; I have the processors mounted on the server board and I have already had to do some "Creative Installation" to get it the stand off pattern to line up. Once I turn on power to the PSU the board fires and the fans start spinning EVEN WITH THE POWER SWITCH UNPLUGGED! I have to get a male to male adapter to get the monitor hooked up because for some reason the server board has a male serial port! This one is going to be interesting, if anyone has experience with a server board set up I would appreciate any tips.

 

[toledo_speedo]

I have given up on my Tempest i5000XL (S2692) from eBay (DOA) and sent that back along with a monitor that had a dead spot in it so I have a little over $400 in my PayPal account. I am about to give up and spend the $500 to get a SkullTrail board so I know it will work with my 2 Xeon 5050's. It will also let upgrade to dual quad cores in 6 months to a year.

Any Thoughts?

 

[toledo_speedo]

I bought the Skulltrail Board, it's all downhill from here. Right?

 

[toledo_speedo]

It's ALIVE! I was able to get it running with an old S5000PAL MOBO! I was about to give up until I realized I was trying to install Windows XP Home instead of professional. I booted from an XP Pro disk and it fired right up! My only concern now is that it isn't showing both CPU's when I call up the System in the Control Panel. They both show in Set Up but how do I know if they are both being used by the System?

 

[toledo_speedo]

Wow, the SkullTrail board arrived today. It seems like a waste to install my Xeon 5050 Dual Cores on such a high end piece of equipment but it will have to do for now. The board is amazing to hold, like a piece of art.

 

[toledo_speedo]

Seriously this build is going to be the death of me! The heatsink fan combo from my S5000PAL Server Board won't work on the SkullTrail! The SkullTrail takes a 775 fan/heatsink with it's 771 Sockett! I ordered some ASUS V72 92mm Sleeve CPU Coolers that should be at my location Monday. I want to run a benchmark on a 10,000 page project that is due Monday but I think I am going to have to run it on my P4HT 3.0Ghz 2mb L1 Cache.